Car-coupling



(No Model.)

W. B. ZEER.

GAR GOUPLING.

No. 319,541. Patented 11111159, 1885.

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Miren rarns irren@ Arnett VILLIAM B. ZEER, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,541, dated June 9. 1885.

Application filed April 16, 1985. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. ZERR, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Reading, county of Berks, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

This improvement relates to cars provided with the ordinary link-coupling.

The object of the improvement is to so arrange the draw-bar that the cars may be coupled without getting between the same, and that the uncoupling may be done in the same manner, thus eliminating the most dangerous of duties from railway service, the appliance being simple in construction and very readily applied to cars already in use.

The drawings herewith show the manner in which the above objects are attained, corresponding letters indicating corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of so much of a car-body as is requisiteto show my improvement attached thereto; Fig. 2, a detached sectional elevation of the improvement as operated to couple with a corresponding car; Fig. 3, a similar detached sectional elevation showing the draw-head cleared to receive the link of the opposite car; Fig. l, detached plan views of the yoke cross-heads.

A represents the car; B, main end sill, C, separating-block; D,spring-bumper; E,bump er; F, the draw-head, of cast-iron of the usual construction, except that it is perforated at F for a sub-pin, and is provided, both top and bottom of the interior, in a line with the subpin, with recesses F2, to receive a pressure-foot connected with the sub-pin, and a guide, Fi, at the mouth of the draw-head- G is the coupling-link.

H represents a slotted yoke secured to the draw-head by bolts H. The slots H2 extend from the top face of the draw-head to near the top of the yoke, a cross-head, I, provided with guides I', working freely in the slots, and j onrnals IZ protruding beyond the same. The crossheadis projected beyond the face of the yoke, forming an ear, I3, in which or to which is secured the upper end of the coupling-pin J. Pendent links K are hung upon the journals 12, the lower ends of which are pivoted in the bifurcated ends L of the arms L, the latter secured to a shaft, M, which passes transversely across the bottom of the car, being notched into the longitudinal timbers, and secured therein by suitable plates. At the opposite ends of the shaft, and secured thereto, outside of the car, are operating-levers N, with inwardly-turned handles N. Between said levers and the car-sides are ratchet-wheels N2, secured to the shaft M.

In front and rear of cach car provided witlruwW.. f

the above-described coupler a light shaft, O, is run across the car, and is supported in bearings O', secured to the top of the end sill. The shaft has at each end pawls Otsecured thereto at such distance from the bearings O as to drop upon and lock with the ratchet-wheels N2. rlhe pawls are provided with a rod, O3, upon which a counter-weight, O", is retained in sliding connection by aset-scrcw. Above the cross-head I, within the yoke H, and at such distance above the same that in its normal position it shall not contact with I until the latter has raised the coupling-pin J clear of the lower face of the draw-bar, the sub-pin cross-head P is introduced. This is also provided with an ear, P', within which. or to which the sub-pin Qis secured. Guides P2 steady the cross-head as it moves vertically in the yoke H and slots H2. The sub-pinQ has afoot, Q', of the general section shown, and of a rectangular form on plan, its length transversely allowing free play 4within the draw-bar. Itis secured to the pin by tapping the foot and threading the lower end of the pin. This makes a good connection,as the i'oot cannot turn to unscrew or release itself from the pin. A coiled spiral steel spring, P, or its equivalent lls out the space left between the face of the crosshead I? and the under side face of the yoke l-I, and tends to push down the head l? upon the head I. To make the connection elastic throughout,I introduce a saddle, B, intermediate to two springs, S S, rubber or coil, with a washer, rI,in the rear. The bolt U, with its head U recessed in the base of the drawhead,and with nut U2 and key U3, retains all in place relative to each other,

To operate the device the advancing end of the car that is to couple has the link G held in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2,while the ICO draw-head of the opposing car to be coupled has both the coupling and sub pins and presser-foot drawn up in the position shown in Fig. 3, which leaves the draw-head free to receive the link G. Should the cars come together with much force, the blow will be cushioned upon the springs S. The resultant jar causes the counterweighted pawls O2 to trip, which releases the ratchets N2. The arms L, head L', links K, and cross-head I descend, and with them the couplingpin J, which locks the link in place. The sub-pin Q, with its cross-head P, by the expansion of the spring P3, is carried downward, following the head I in its descent, until its foot Q' rests upon the link G, as shown.

The device, unless willfully tampered with, will not uncouple in use, but'when desired is instantly uncoupled by throwing up the arm L, the links K carrying with them rst the coupling-pin, and then releasing the presserfoot, the ratchet and pawls retaining the drawhead in a free position for recoupling, which, as before described, jarring the ratchet and pawl out of gear automatically locks the coupling-link in the draw-bar.

On starting up a train provided with my improvement, the stress is first taken up by the compression of the spring S',which makes cars fitted therewith both easy to handle by the engineer, and safer to the brakeman to couple and uncouple while in motion or at rest upon the track. The guides Fin the mouth of the draw-head keep the coupling-link when in the act of coupling from swerving sidewise.

Having shown my invention, disclosed its construction, and detailed its advantages, I desire to secure by Letters Patent the following claims thereon:

y 1. In combination with a draw-head for an ordinary link-coupled car, the slotted yoke I-I, with cross-heads I P, provided with guides I' P?, moving in slot H2, a coupling-pin, J, connect'ed with head I, and a sub-pin, Q,with the head P, aspiral spring, P3, or its equivalent between the yoke Hand head P, a foot, Q', attached to the pin Q, journals I2, links K, arms L, transverse shaft M, levers N, l and handles N', substantially as shown,and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a draw-head linkcoupler and its transverse actuatingshaft, as described, ratchet-wheels N2, pawls O', counter-weights O4 on rods O3, and set-screws O5, the pawls arranged to act upon and to release simultaneously from the ratchets on opposite sides of the car by attachment at opposite ends of a transverse shaft, O, secured in boXes O' at the front and rear on the end sills, B, as shown, and for vthe purpose set forth.

3. In combination with a draw-head linkcoupler, as shown and described, the link-guide F3 in the mouth of the draw-head, and the recesses F2 at the rear of the draw-head in line with the sub-pin Q and corresponding with thev foot Q of the same, the cross-head P, spring P3, yoke H, head I, pin J, links K, arms L, shafts IVI O, levers N, handles N', pawls O, and counter-Weights O4, whereby thelinkisheld for engagement with or it is released from the draw-head, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In combination with a draw-head provided with a slotted yoke, H, cross-headsI P, pins J Q, foot Q', guide F3, recesses Q2, spring S, saddle R, spring S', bolt U, washer T, nut U2, and key U, the whole arranged as shown, and adapted to operate in connection with links K, arms L, shafts M O, levers N, handles N', ratchet N2, and pawls O2, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

. VILLIAM B. ZERR.

Witnesses:

Jnivrns R. KENNEY, Gno. WV. LONG. 

